Zain Iqbal, a 23-year-old from Delacourt Road, Manchester, has been sentenced for drug offences after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis. The sentencing took place at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on April 28, following his arrest earlier in the month.
According to court documents, Iqbal was caught supplying cannabis in Ulverston on April 4, 2024. Police apprehended him during an active drug transaction, leading to his immediate arrest and subsequent charge. Despite the serious nature of the offence, court records confirmed that Iqbal had no prior criminal convictions.
Magistrates deemed the offence grave enough to warrant a custodial sentence. They sentenced Iqbal to 26 weeks in prison, citing the seriousness of drug supply offences and the risk they pose to communities. However, they chose to suspend the sentence for a period of 24 months, giving the defendant an opportunity to rehabilitate without serving immediate jail time.
The court took into account several mitigating factors in their decision. They considered the drug dealing to be an isolated incident and noted that Iqbal would lose his job if an immediate prison term were enforced. These factors, alongside his previously clean record, led magistrates to opt for a suspended sentence.
As part of his sentence, Iqbal must complete 300 hours of unpaid community work and attend five rehabilitation activity days. These requirements are aimed at encouraging his reform and preventing future offending.
In addition to the suspended sentence and rehabilitation requirements, the court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis seized during the investigation. Any cash found in connection with the offence will also be permanently confiscated under deprivation orders.
This case highlights the serious consequences of drug-related offences, even for first-time offenders. While Iqbal avoided prison, the suspended sentence and additional penalties underscore the legal system’s stance on drug supply and the importance of deterring similar offences in the community. Magistrates made it clear that had there not been mitigating circumstances, a custodial sentence would have been unavoidable.
